(TriceEdneyWire.com) Florida A&M University President James Ammons is resigning. In a letter to the FAMU Board of Trustees Ammons announced his resignation effective October 2012.

“After considerable thought, introspection and conversations with my family, I have decided to resign from my position as president in order to initiate my retirement on Oct. 11,2012,” wrote Ammons in the letter.

He went on to explain that he will remain on staff as a tenured professor.

Ammons’ resignation comes in the wake of the parents of FAMU band member Robert Champion filing a lawsuit today against the university, holding it responsible, in some aspects, for his hazing death.

The university released a statement in response to the Champion family lawsuit.

Said Sharon P. Saunders, FAMU’s chief communications officer: ”We have known for quite some time that the family intended to file suit. Our hearts and prayers still go out to the Champion family. We are unable to comment further due to the pending litigation surrounding this matter.”